Entry 4: Bridging the Digital Divide

Beyond the Needle: Engineering a Digital Presence

The physical act of sewing is intuitive to me, but the digital landscape of modern businesses feels like a mountain I cannot climb. I do not understand how computers work, I admit. In this new world, every brand needs to be online in order to survive. It has truly been difficult trying to figure it out with everything else that seems to keep piling up on my plate. But, an entrepreneur’s greatest skill is the ability to recognize their own weaknesses and find a way to bridge the gap. If I want to take this business venture seriously, I cannot stay in the comfort of my bedroom forever, I need to expand my horizons.

To attempt to solve this, I took a leap and hired a freelancer to help bring my vision for a website to life. This was honestly my second real lesson in leadership and delegation, after I volunteered to do Model UN (never again). I had to learn how to communicate my brand identity and what the reason was for the pieces I created, to people who don’t know me or my sketches. It’s hard work, and I have a newfound appreciation for these people. I am slowly learning that a brand is not just the clothes that are made, but it is also the story that is behind them.

With some help from my marketing teacher, I am actively trying to merge my creative side with a data driven marketing approach. I want to understand how to use my voice. Not just in person, but through a screen in order to reach people who value handmade quality. I sold my first piece to my friend at school today, and hey, it is something! I was able to make a pair of striped shorts to fit her perfectly, and I am so glad she loved it. That is the joy that I want to see, and if it cannot be in person, it will happen online. I feel like I’m evolving slowly, and honestly, every time I click and update new ideas it is a step towards disproving the idea that this is just a hobby for me.